Catamenial garment.



A. L. BRODTON.

GATAMENIAL GABMENT.

APPLIUATION FILED DEU. 10, 1907. BENEWBD IAB. 31, 1909.

939,943. Patented Nov. 9, 1999.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

9 9 99.999.909 y //z/mmd/z. M 559 Granma A. L. BRODTON.

GATAMENIAL GAEMBNT.

urLIoATIoN FILED 11mm, 1907. nmmwnn un. 31, 1909.

939,943. Patented N0v.9, 1909.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

U N I TEl) STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ANNA L. BRODTON, OF MOBILE, ALABAMA, ASSIGNOR 0F ONE-HALF TO-EMILE TACN AND EVA G. TACON, BOTH 0F MOBILE, ALABAMA.

CATAMEN IAL GARMEN T.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented N ov. 9, 1909.

Application led December 10, 1907, Serial No. 405,920. Renewed March 31, 1909; Serial No. 487,053.

To all. ulzom 'it may concern:

lie it known that l, ANNA L. BRonToN, a t

citizen nl the United States, residing at Mobile. in the county of Mobile and State of Alabaunn, have invented a new and useful Catamenial Garment, of which the lfollowing` is a specification.

This invention relates to a garment to be worn by women during the menstrual period; and has for its object to provide a siniple garment made of rubber cloth or other water proof material in fiat form and suitable contigui-ation, that when applied to the body next the skin a perfectly tight covering is secured without opening of any kind through which the menses may escape and soil the `garments of the wearer, Whether she be standing, sitting, or lying on her face, hack or side.

Another object of the invention is to provide elastic and adjustable attachments on the inner side of the garment at the front and rear for securing the ends of a napkin or pad. These fastenings are adjustable from the outside both at the front and back to permit the wearer quickly tightening or loosening thc napkin when ease demands .such change.

It further object of invention relates to the means employed for making the garmentyielding over the hips whereby the comfort y of-the wearer is increased. i

lVith these and other objects in View the 1 invention consists of the various novel comhination, construction and arrangement of parts hereinafter described and definitelyI claimed.

In the accompanying drawings z-Figure l is an outside view of the invention opened out in fiat forni. Fig. 2 is a view of the inf side of the garment opened flat. Fig. 3 is a front View of the garment as it appears when on the body. Fig. 4t is a rear view of the garment when closed. Figs. 5 to l0 are riews of various detail parts of the invention.

Similar reference numerals are used for the sa me part-s in all the figures.

Referring to Figs. 1 and 2 the numeral l indicates a sheet of thin rubber cloth or other water proof material, cut substantially in the form shown from a single piece of material, or of several pieces, the meeting edges of which are lapped and Aunited by cement, as shown in Fig. 8. This form of lseam is preferable as it is perfectly tight,

while a stitched seam presents innumerable minute perforations caused by the needle,

through which the fluid can pass and soil the amici-clothing of the wearer. The numeral 2 indicates the' front portion of the garment and 3 the rear part, the V-shaped indentations 4 in the sides separating the front from the rear portions form the thigh openings, between which is the narrow crotch part 5. At the top of the front portion 2, the sheetJ l is curved to lit the waist and is reinforced on both inner and outer sides by a band 6 of linen or other textile fabric, a band 7 of similar material is also attached -to both sides of the upper end of the back portion 3. Secured preferably at the left side of the front portion 2 and forming practically a continuation of the band 6 is a belt 8, with a button hole 9 worked in its end, which when the garment is worn, is passed around the back of the Waist and fastened on a button l0 at the right side of the front portion. Any other form of fastening device however may be substituted.

1t is of course understood that the rubber coated side of the garment is the inner side and presents throughout a smooth unbroken surface, except at the bands, which permits thorough and easy cleaning of the soiled snrface. The edges of the garment are strengthened by turning the material upon itself in folds ll on the outer side and connecting the edges to the body of the garment, irst inserting in each fold a strip of tape l2. See Fig. 7. In the folds 13 around the V-shaped indentations 4 are draw strings or tapes 14, see Figs. l, 2 and 9, for fastening the garment around the thighs, these are preferably elastic within the folds with non-elastic outer tape ends, making a better and more durable fastening than either tape or elastic material alone. The elastic portion of the draw tape will yield to the pla-y of the muscles and will not bind, while the tape ends are easily, securely and rapidly tied. Fastened to the front portion 2 are snap buttons l5 to connect with the snap fastenings 1G on the back portion 3 when the garment is fastened on the body. The back band 7 has a button hole 17 at one end and a. snap fastening 18 at the other end to engage respectively, under certain conditions, the button l0 and snap button 19 on l the front band. Fastened at each end of the back band 7 is a piece of tape a the two pieces being sufficiently long to pass around the waist and be tied in front.

That part of the top of the front portion 2 which covers the hips, has on each side a V-shaped notch 20 made therein, the edges of which are turned forwardly over a strip of tape 21 for stiffening and strengthening the edges, and cemented. Eyelets 22 are secured in the stiffened edges for a semi-elastic lacing tape 23 similar to that 14 around the V-notches 20. On the inner side of the front portion 3 over the notches 20, see Fi 5, V-shaped pieces of rubber cloth 24 plaited, are cemented to prevent the escape of the menses. By plaiting the vV-shaped pieces 24;k

they yield readily when the elastic lacings 23 are stretched.

Near the bottom of the front band 6 in :the center are fastened two eyelets 25, separated a slight distance, through which the ends of' an adjusting tape 26 pass from within outwardly, the loop of thetape hanging down onv the inner side. An elastic supporter 27 is carried by the loop of the tape 26 threaded through eyelet holes 28 in one end of said supporter. The rear portion 3 of the garment has a similarsupporter 27a attached to a tape 26a. Each supporter is formed of a ,length of .elastic material 29 reinforced on each end bya metal tip as shown, see Figs. 2 and 6. The yeyelets 28 hold the upper tip 30 in place, but rivets 31- are used for securing the lower tip 32 to the elastic. A safety pin 33 or other suitable fastening is held by the metal tip 32 below the rivets 31. By lengthening or shortening the loop of either tape 26 or 26a the napkin connected to the safety pins 33 is easily and quickly adjusted to suit the wearer. The ends of the tapes 26 and 26- after being placed in the eyelets, have tips 35, see Fig. 10', attached to their ends, larger than the eyelet holes to prevent the tapes being withdrawn. .j

To use this garment, it is rst laidlat and the ends of a napkin, pad or other snitable article are secured by its ends to the safety pins on the front and rear supporters 27 and 27a. Then, holding it by the band 7, it is suspended in rear of the person and the tapes a brought around' the waist to the front and tied. The corset is then put on, after which., the front portion 3 is passed forwardly between the thighs and up to the waist and there fastened by passing the belt 8 rearwardly around the waist andy fastening its end by the button 10 on the right side. The side edges of the back port-ion are then brought around to the front, overlapping the front portion and fastened by the snap fastcnings 15 and 1G, thus securing a tight. closure at the sides because of the overlapping edges. The elastic tapes` 14 are now drawn as tightly as desired and tied around the body, provides a'thoroughly tight and I cleanly covering for that part of the person requiring it during the menstrual period. When worn, the undergarments cannot be soiled whatever the position of the body; soiled napkins can be removed and fresh ones substituted with great ease and comfort without removing the garment or soiling the hands by simply unfastening the front portionand dropping it,'the tapes Ta holding the garment on the body, Calls of nature are answered by dropping the garment in the same manner. W hen corsets are not worn the garment may be put on by first fastening the front portion to the waist with the belt 8 and then, passing the back part between the thighs, secure it at the waist line by means of the button v10 on one side and the snap fastening 10 on the other. In this case the garment can be put on after a woman is completely gowned without removing any of her clothing, simply unbutton or loosen the drawers at the waist and put it on as above described.

An important advantage derived from making the garment flat and in a single piece without openings of any kind through it, is the'ease' with which it can be cleaned.

Spread it on a flat surface with the innerand sponge it off. The edges being folded over, al smooth surface is presented, and as all seams are celnented, should there be any, no corners or joints are formed into which the discharge can enter. The supporters cannot escape from the eyelet holes because of the enlarged tips 35 on the ends of the tapes.

N o laundrying is necessary with this garment; it is very durable, andlittle labor and expense are called for in its manufacture, there being no sewing except at the bands.

Having 'described my invention what I claim as new5 and desire to secure by Letters-Patent is 1. A catamenial garment of the character described -divided at its side edges by indentations into a front portion and a back portion, V-shaped notches near each edge of the top ofthe front portion provided with eyelets, and elastic laces in said eyelets for closing said V-shaped notches.

2. A catamenial garment of the character described divided at its side edges by indentations into a front portion and a back or- 'tion, V- haped notches near each edge o the ortion, the edges of said,

top of the front notches being fol ed, exible inelastic strips in said folds and eyelets inserted therein,

.and elastic laces in said eyelets for closing portion, V-shaped notches near each edge of the top of the front portion provided with I' eyelets, laces in said eyelets forclosing the V-shaped notches, and a piece of water proof 15 material cemented at its edges to the lnner side of said front portion over each of said notches.

In testimony that I claim thel foregoing as my own, I have hereto aixed my S1gna- 29 ture in the presence of two Witnesses.

ANNA L..BRoDToN.

Witnesses i JAS. M. WALKER, C. E. DOYLE. 

